Mogadishu: Turkey's navy, in collaboration with Somali armed forces, successfully freed a hijacked vessel in Somali waters, resulting in the death of 14 alleged pirates after a prolonged battle, Somalia's government reported on Saturday. "During the 10-day operation, four boats used by the pirates were destroyed and 14 pirates were killed," stated a Somali Defense Ministry announcement. "The sustained military pressure finally forced the remaining pirates to abandon the ship."
According to Deutsche Welle, the MV LUTUF, a Cameroon-flagged vessel, was hijacked on August 17 off the coast of the Nugaal region in Puntland state. The joint operation between Turkey and Somalia was part of a defense cooperation agreement between the two nations. While the ministry did not disclose details regarding casualties or the condition of the crew on board the vessel, it confirmed, "The forces subsequently secured the MV LATUF, which has now safely resumed its journey." Sources from AFP news agency indicated that at least eight crew members were on board, including one Turkish national.
The Horn of Africa has witnessed a resurgence in piracy since April, as reported by figures from the International Maritime Organization, with at least 15 attacks occurring off the coast of Somalia this year. At least five cargo ships have been held hostage, with the most recent incident taking place on August 20 off the coast of Yemen. These attacks are the highest recorded since 2013, a stark reminder of the piracy crisis that plagued the Somali coast during the 2000s. The peak of pirate activities was in 2011, before a decline due to international naval interventions and enhanced protection measures for commercial shipping.
The resurgence of piracy in the Horn of Africa contributes to the escalating challenges facing international shipping in the Middle East. Vessels are already navigating complex routes to avoid the contested Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Additionally, recent years have seen an increase in pirate attacks along the West African coast, further compounding the risks for commercial shipping.